The elevator at Ancaster Branch is not working. We're working to get it fixed quickly.
Ancaster Branch Elevator Out of Order
Published:
Saturday, July 11, 2026 - 10:45am
Central Library - Fourth Floor Closure, Friday July 10
With the Steel Town Love special event taking place on Saturday, July 11, the Fourth Floor at Central Library will be closed for set-up all day on Friday, July 10. Makerspace and Newcomer Learning Centre will remain open.
The Fourth Floor will reopen its study spaces on Sunday, July 12, Noon-5 pm.
Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 4:00pm
Express Items via OverDrive - Partner Libraries Update
As of July 1st, partner library Members can no longer borrow HPL Express items via Overdrive. More to Borrow partner libraries will be offering Lucky Express (Skip the line) titles to their cardholders only. This will help manage wait times for popular titles. Lucky Express is a collection of in demand titles with a seven-day loan period, available with no wait.
Our partners will still be able to borrow titles from the rest of our collection.
www.hpl.ca/more-to-borrow
Published:
Monday, July 6, 2026 - 10:00am
What's Happening Guide Changes
The What's Happening Guide has been retired and replaced with different communications channels and tactics. You can find the new Summer Reading Flyer here. Watch for future communications updates.
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 3:00pm
Sunday Hours Return to Central Library
Sunday hours return to Central Library. Beginning July 5, Central is open Noon to 5pm. Dundas, Red Hill, Terryberry, Turner Park, Valley Park and Waterdown branches are also open Sundays, 1 to 5pm. hpl.ca/hours
Published:
Monday, June 29, 2026 - 1:00pm
Study Halls Pause for Summer Break
After Hours Study Hall is not available in July and August. Hours will resume Tuesday, September 8. www.hpl.ca/study-halls
Published:
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - 3:00pm
Construction at Barton Branch
The entrance to the Barton Branch's parking lot off Milton Street is currently inaccessible due to construction. Please use the alley entrance off Fullerton Street.
Published:
Wednesday, June 17, 2026 - 9:15am
Phishing Scheme
Please be aware of online phishing attempts impersonating Hamilton Public Library and Library Staff. HPL does not solicit paid freelance opportunities through social media or other messaging applications. HPL does not request personal or banking information through social media or require financial compensation when reviewing job applications. Please report phishing schemes to communications@hpl.ca. If you think you are a victim of fraud, please call the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Published:
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 - 5:00am
Desjardins Canal Disaster Illustrations
The Toronto Railway train breaking through the tressle bridge over the Des Jardines Canal, falling sixty feet into the gulf below. From a sketch by Col. Frank Foster, of Philadelphia. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 265.)
Frightful Accident on the Great Western Railway, March 12th, 1857. Toronto, Ont.: L.D. Campbell, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)
View of the Disaster of the Great Western Railway at the Desjardins Canal Bridge, Hamilton, C.W. on Thursday March 12, 1857. Hamilton, Ont.: Spectator Office, [1857?]. (Original Photographs Collection. Local History & Archives. Hamilton Public Library.)
View of the accident taken N.W. from Hamilton Bay, suspension bridge in the background. From a photograph by D.C. Beere, Esq. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272.)
The people living in the vicinity of the broken bridge, hunting around the ruins for the dead and wounded. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 272)
The conductors of the railway raising the ruins of the cars. From a sketch by Mr. Lum. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 273.)
Relations and friends searching among the dead bodies laid out in the large room adjoining the station house. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
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The conductor and two passengers jumping from the last car as it was going over the precipice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
Grappling in the canal for the dead. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
Passengers crossing the canal on the rafts. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
The German rescuing his friend from the car window. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
The rescue of the little girl from a cake of floating ice. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
The Doyle children carried up the hill by their preserver and a passenger. (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 4 April 1857: 277.)
